Vegetable market blast kills 18 in Pakistan

Staff Correspondent: At least 18 people were killed and 60 others injured in a blast on Saturday at a vegetable market in northwest Pakistan’s restive Kurram Agency, officials said.

The blast occurred at the crowded Sabzi Mandi inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Explosives kept in kitchen market exploded during auction of the vegetables.

Eleven critically wounded people brought from the blast at a vegetable market died during treatment. He said there are still several people in serious condition who are being shifted to other hospitals for better care.

Security personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area and started search operation.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.